@hehemrin
Lem was Polish but born and lived in Lviv, which is now Ukraine. He was equally dismissive of Capitalism and Stalinism, and his works show he did not believe that humans could possibly even understand aliens - or each other.
@zaivala Thanks Moss for the bio on Lem. I'll note it on my book suggestions record (Joplin!). Appears as he is best to read when I am in a good mood.
@hehemrin
Lem has written many ground-breaking works in science fiction, ranging from the wildly ridiculous to the most depressing. Solaris, The Invincible , and Memoirs Found In a Bathtub are as depressing or Kafkaesque as anything written, while The Cyberiad and Tales of Pirx the Pilot are as farcical as you will find.